I am daring to hope we are nearly done with DDH.  I have optimism that all will be fine – I have to believe that, I have to believe that the past year is coming to an end.

It is about this time last year that I really began to suspect something was wrong.  Something was holding Erin back.  That she wasn’t just being lazy, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to walk.  I was begining to dread that there was a physical cause. It was a case of couldn’t rather than wouldn’t.

In August at 20 months she finally wobbled those first tentative steps, and in that instant our fears were justified.  It still took 2 months before Erin was sat in front of the consultant and he explained how Erin’s DDH would be treated. 

It has been a long long road with its ups and downs.  Erin has been amazingly brave, calm and determined throughout it all.  I have crumbled on many occasions, hot tears splashing down my cheeks when it has all got too much.  Erin has spent her birthday, Christmas and many family occasions bound in a cast. 

Here is a quick reflection of some of the pictures that tell our story over the past year.

Marked up before the open reduction.

Spica number 1, neither of us knew what to do or expect.

We soon settled into our new routine and learnt life in spica is different but managable.

Spica 2

Spica 2 was tough, you can see in the picture just how big the cast is.  But still we tried to carry on with life as normal.  Even though I did resort to buying a double pram to accommodate Erin.

spica 3

This cast was smaller and Erin was happy crawling around in it. She had the determination to get going! Life in cast had become our normal.  I juggled her on my hip, can change nappies in next to no time.  We went out, joined a music class and toddler group and got on with life.

Finally after 18 long weeks we had some respite from spica. We got her legs back for a few weeks.  We knew that the treatment hadn’t been enough.  That she would soon be in theatre for a bone graft operation.  We just tried to forget that for the time being.  We went to Center Parcs and made the most of the time.

A weak leg after spica.

Erin amazed us in this time, first by standing and then by walking. We had a date for next surgery but was able to enjoy the break from spica.  I wasn’t sure if she would walk – remember her hip is still not in the socket at this time.  Erin has never ran, she would struggle to walk over a raised bit of floor or on uneven ground.  Her determination is outstanding.

All too soon we walked back to theatre, the waiting is always the worst part and putting her back into spica was heartbreaking, even though we knew it was for the greater good.  The lowest point was after the Salters, Erin became very poorly and it was emotionally tough to see her so vunerable.

Feeling poorly.

The week got worse with another trip to theatre. The final cast was put on and Erin was soon showing her infectious cheeky side once again.

Spica 5

I am so proud of how she has handled everything this year. I am grateful to her hospital team who I trust and appreciate all the care they have given Erin.  I hope that we are nearly done.  I hope for socket growth that would mean we are done with spica casts.  Time will tell.

whoo I have made it to day 100!  This is a real achievement for me.  I have taken 100 photos that tell the story of this year. Already this year has had many highs (Erin retaking those first magical post spica steps) and lows (knowing that she needs more surgery on her hip).  However today’s picture is one Chloe snapped without me telling her to!  I think it is rather lovely.  Except my neck looks wide!

Today was a special day for Erin – I booked these tickets when she was still in spica in anticipation for a treat before the next operation. The journey down was fine and Erin slept which meant she was ready and raring to go when we arrived. After negotiation with the door man about using my buggy I popped to the box office as advised to when I booked the tickets. I was given wheel chair accessible seats which were fab. We had a prime viewing position and I could easily transport Erin about. Although she can now walk a few steps she isn’t strong on her feet and she couldn’t manage without her buggy. The venues only concern was that really buggies are not allowed in the venue but wheelchairs are and I had to explain that I don’t use a wheelchair!

The stewards were really helpful and made sure that Erin could see. Erin herself enjoyed every second of it – she is sorry different from Chloe and Dylan who always became so shy at theatre trips and were always a bit overwhelmed. Erin on the other hand was signing and singing with Mr Tumble right away!

It was wonderful to see Erin so happy and enjoying it so much.  It actually got me a bit teary!  When we sang that cheesy song at the end – you know the one- reach for the stars,  I did get emotional.  She has been through so much and yet we have the big operation looming in my headlights.  I don’t know what the future holds for Erin in terms of walking without pain and limping and there are still lots of unanswered questions about other health concerns.  Only time will tell.